Sylvia Dickey Smith was born backwards, feet first and left handed, and has done most things backwards ever since.

Background
Information

Sylvia's childhood came during a maelstrom of social upheaval and change. She grew up in a makeshift housing addition appropriately called Riverside, built on swampland filled in with sand. She grew up in the 40's and 50's in the southeast Texas town of Orange, the last "get off" of I-10 before Louisiana. During that period women were first "Rosie the riveters," and then, after the war, sent back home to stay bare of feet and pregnant. Feminism flourished in some parts of the country, but not in Orange, Texas. Not in her home.

Her love of story was born listening to her father recall antics of his childhood. About the time he wrapped a sweet potato in Christmas gift wrap and gave it to a girl for Christmas, and of his shame when he realized he'd hurt her feelings. Of pranks he and his cousin played on unsuspecting friends and strangers. She watched her father laugh as he recalled the tales and realized that telling the stories must be even more fun than listening to them.

She, too, began to tell her stories and in third grade, her teacher noted on her report card that she excelled in story telling.

She hasn't stopped since--but she just started writing them down after retirement!

"Dance on His Grave" has reached 'best-seller status by the publisher. "Deadly Sins-Deadly Secrets" launched on November 1,2007. Syl is busy conducting book signings and presentations. In her spare time she is working on book three of the Sidra Smart mystery series.

Favorite Links

Sylvia Dickey Smith
On this web site, the reader can learn more about Sylvia's work, and can also gather delicious recipes for Cajun food. Readers can also email her and ask for specific recipes and she accomodates the request, when possible